Patients with chronic heart failure had significantly higher total scores for autonomic symptoms compared to matched controls (median 14.9 vs 7.3, p < 0.001).
Cross-Sectional (n=248)
Yes
Do patients with chronic heart failure experience more autonomic symptoms compared to matched controls, and are these symptoms associated with fatigue, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life?
Autonomic symptoms, particularly orthostatic intolerance, are highly prevalent in chronic heart failure and correlate significantly with fatigue, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Absolute Event Rate: 14.9% vs 7.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
Objective Autonomic disorders are common in chronic illness, and their symptoms may restrict the daily functioning of patients. However, in chronic heart failure, extensive knowledge about autonomic symptoms is still lacking. This study aims to explore self-perceived autonomic symptoms, associated factors, and their relationship with health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure.Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients with documented chronic heart failure (men and women; 50–86 years) and 124 sex and age-matched controls participated in this study. The participants filled validated questionnaires about autonomic symptom profile (COMPASS 31), fatigue (CIS, Checklist for individual strength), anxiety and depression (HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression), and health-related quality of life (SF36). Non-parametric statistics were performed to analyse the data.Results Total score for autonomic symptoms was higher in chronic heart failure compared to controls Median: 14.9; IQR: 6.2–25.1 vs. 7.3; 0–18; p < 0.001, especially for orthostatic hypotension Median: 8; IQR: 0–16 vs. 0; 0–12; p < 0.001, vasomotor Median: 0; IQR: 0–0 vs. 0; 0–0; p < 0.001 and secretomotor function Median: 0; IQR: 0–4.2 vs. 0; 0–2.1; p = 0.013. High scores for autonomic symptoms were moderate correlated with higher scores of fatigue, anxiety and depression (0.343 ≤ rs ≥ 0.420; p < 0.001) and with decreased health-related quality of life (−0.454; p < 0.01).Conclusion Autonomic symptoms, especially for orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor and secretomotor subdomains, are prevalent and are associated with fatigue complaints and poor health-related quality of life in CHF.
Silva et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Chronic heart failure (n=248). Chronic heart failure (Exposure) vs. Age and sex-matched controls was evaluated on Total score for autonomic symptoms (COMPASS 31) (p=<0.001). Patients with chronic heart failure had significantly higher total scores for autonomic symptoms compared to matched controls (median 14.9 vs 7.3, p < 0.001).